Potters House offering tax preparation services

The Potter’s House Ministries of Sciotoville is an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site. As a result they can prepare state and federal tax returns for free.

“Primarily what we do is free, as opposed to paying a tax preparer out of your refund to get your money back. It’s your money and we feel like people should be able to keep as much of it as they can,” said Ed Myers, Potter’s House Ministries spokesman. “We are IRS certified we take the VITA training that’s put out by the IRS. All of our counselors have to pass the same level of standardized testing to be come a VITA counselor.”

This is the sixth year the Potter’s House Ministries has helped area residents prepare their federal and state tax returns.

Myers said appointments are currently being taken with a national kick off day slated for Jan. 22.

He said some of the documents people should bring with them to have their taxes prepared include proof of identification, Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents, wage and earning statements, a copy of last year’s federal and state returns, proof of bank accounts and account numbers for direct deposit purposes among others. To file taxes electronically on a married-filling-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign required forms.

During the 2012 tax season Potter’s House Ministries volunteers helped to complete 650 state and federal income tax returns. Those refunds totalled $732,000.

According to www.irs.gov, “the VITA Program generally offers free tax help to people who make $51,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in local communities. They can inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.”

For more information or to make an appointment with Potter’s House Ministries call 740-776-4004 or 740-776-6929.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or wallen@civitiasmedia.com.

Contribute

Comments

All user comments are subject to our Terms of Service. Users may flag inappropriate comments.